Hearts A Few Hours On

Last updated : 21 February 2005 By Firparkcorner

And this time anyway, they definitely gave us the three points. Yes we were quite good in places and there was no one on the park who had a bad game but the standard of the opposition was laughable. We certainly deserve credit for stopping them from playing and working hard ourselves but one win does not mean we are totally back on track. Against Hibs, I cautioned that we shouldn’t go over the top with criticism – they were a good side who worked hard and forced us into a mistake. Hearts were so bad that while we will be thankful for the points, the players must not slip into complacency and think that a winning run is now just ours for the taking.

Even this gift couldn't help Hearts
The race for the top six is heating up and for once, getting there could bring a significant financial reward. The league will almost certainly go down to the last day or two and this means that we won’t be playing Celtic at Fir Park in front of 9,000. The beggars will be desperate to see their side win (or at Fir Park, hopefully for us, lose) the title so a near sell out crowd should turn out. We are guaranteed at least one more home match and while it might be meaningless for us, it could mean a lot to the visitors. If Hibs or Hearts have a fixture with us swapped back to Fir Park, 4-5000 from the East will no doubt want to see their team fight for vital third place points. Aberdeen will probably be out of it but if they come to Fir Park, they’ll be celebrating their best season in ages and could still have an interest in the cup. Their fans have already been traveling in huge numbers this year.

Our appalling run has seen a commanding lead over Kilmarnock dwindle away to a mere two points. However, things are still in our favour. Killie’s next match is on Saturday – a game they will surely lose at Ibrox – which leaves them only six games to catch us. Our goal difference is far superior to theirs and since we play each other in the last pre-split game, it gives us a huge advantage. So long as we are within three points of Kilmarnock going into that fixture we have a chance.

Still, whilst the race for the final top six place will be close, if we can start playing the way we can, we have nothing to fear. Jim Hamilton has contributed a lot in the games he has played so far and so long as he does not become too worried about breaking his duck, he will be a good player for us. McDonald, on Saturday’s evidence at least, has remembered he has team mates and he could easily go on another scoring run.

It’s amazing how winning just one game can turn attitudes around. Especially when that game is your fourth win over Hearts! Roll on East End Park